Can we just say this: we love fashion! Æon and I both love to shop (well, I do edge him out just a bit!)…and we like exploring the possibilities for our avatars’ appearance. Olyvia DeCuir is someone who has her eye on that; she is a fashion maven in Second Life®. Through her photography, she captures an array of gorgeous scenes that showcase fashions in all their uniqueness and style beautifully. Her Savvy Avi Studiois home to her work and she takes clients for photographic imaging. Her history as a model in-world holds her in good stead as she has been the subject of photos taken by others including the inspirational Skip Staheli. What a great opportunity to explore varying perspectives! In her photography, Olyvia captures the feelings the fashions imbue…the response of the subject to both the clothing and the setting…and it gives the viewer some insight into how those pieces might be experienced. Her book – Styling a Savvy Avi is available for purchase at Amazon, in the Kindle format, and her Flickraccount presents more of her photographs for viewing. This is her first exhibit, and we are so pleased that she agreed to launch this part of her career here at Ce Soir Arts. Do come enjoy!

Pieni – in her work with Art by Pieni – often explores our virtual world and then paints it or draws it digitally. Quite creative, she also takes pictures and creates collages – all in concert with other artistic pursuits. The three works – each a numbered work entitled Seashore – that she has placed in the BEACHES Art Exhibit are excellent examples of her interpretation of the virtual sea and how it interacts with the shore – which holds much in common with such scenes in the physical realm. These three pieces offer us stunning views of beaches, painted exquisitely in lush and finely grained pastels. Varying tones and densities of seafoam and spray enfold the views in tender beauty. One can practically smell the ocean breezes, swirling amidst those silvery mists, heightening the senses. By sensitivity to light and the play of shadow on the water and the land, Pieni has captured three unique moments at the shore – all of them lovely and engaging. She owns her own gallery (showing her work and that of other artists) called Galleria Kakku; it is an expansive gallery, and you must visit – just as you must come see these specific works at Côte de la Mer Galerie & Lawn.

THE INTERVIEWS…

Olyvia DeCuir:

M: What started you off on the adventure of creating art in your life – in-world or otherwise? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your creative energies?

OLYVIA: When I was a new model, it seemed that the only way to get experience was to enter contests, and to enter one, a contestant had to submit a picture. At the time, Skip Staheli was the King of Contest Pictures, and they were so beautiful, it inspired me to start trying to do my own pictures. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up *lol*, but I was never able to achieve the sort of quality that his pictures had because I lacked the technical skills in editing software. This year, I received the gift of a LumiPro™ photography system and it was like lightning struck me. The versatility of the system took my work to where I wanted it to be and I started to create ART instead of just pictures. (Editor’s Note: LumiPro™ is the creation of Stefan Buscaylet and his team. Information about this photo tool HUD can be accessed at the team’s blog; visit them in-world at LumiPro™ World Headquarters.)

M: What do you like best about the Second Life® experience? How has it enriched or otherwise informed your artistic work – your process, perspective, choice of media?

OLYVIA: Second Life® has been an amazing 10 year journey for me. I’ve discovered all kinds of talents I never knew I had. I never thought I had any sort of artistic talent…my sisters were artists and I couldn’t draw a straight line, let alone paint a portrait of someone in oils. After being in SL for a few years and discovering digital art, I realized that I just hadn’t had the right medium for my talents.

M: Inspiration is important to us at Ce Soir Arts. Where do you most often find the inspiration for your work? What about for your work in the BEACHES exhibit?

OLYVIA: I find the inspiration for my work in a combination of the particular outfit I’m shooting, and the sim I find to shoot it in. Often, the pictures just take themselves because I am inspired by the amazing creative work of the sim builders and the designers that send me their amazing things to photograph. The idea comes fully formed into my head when I see a particular build or scene. I love the creativity that abounds in SL and it’s been an inspiration to me all along. I was “hooked” on day one because I understood what sort of creativity could take place in such an environment.

M: How about the future? What do you forecast or dream for yourself in regards your artistic vision and other creative endeavours?

OLYVIA: My only goal at this time is to refine my skill set and continue to be as creative as I can with an eye toward creating ART and not just pictures.

M: Thank you, Olyvia,for stepping out and sharing your lovely work with us in this exhibit. We look forward to your new directions as you continue to be inspired in this amazing virtual space!

Art by Pieni:

M: What started you off on the adventure of creating art in your life – in-world or otherwise? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your creative energies?

PIENI: My grandma painted and made art out of things like pine cones and rocks to form images on the ground. She had a small garden in a block of flats, and was able to use it for her creative ideas. She also painted porcelain, I have a gorgeous tea set from her that she gave me for my confirmation gift. My mom does all sorts of crafts. She used to paint mainly watercolors when I was little, but now she does scrapbooking and cards in a whole new level of techniques that make me jealous of her skill. With relatives like this, it is hard to pinpoint the moment I wanted to make art. I just always had pencil and paper, if I wanted. They encouraged me to write and do crafts.

M: What do you like best about the Second Life® experience? How has it enriched or otherwise informed your artistic work – your process, perspective, choice of media?

PIENI: Second Life® means a lot to me because the friends and family I have found here. Many people are part of my so-called real life now. Techniques are pretty much what I happen to have at that moment. But I do make art where I have taken SL snapshots and then modify them on Gimp. That has turned out to be a way to make some really unique pieces. I know a lot of artists must be doing the same. I love seeing art by other people. That is why I own a gallery.

M: Inspiration is important to us at Ce Soir Arts. Where do you most often find the inspiration for your work? What about for your work in the BEACHES exhibit?

PIENI: I usually get my inspiration from what I have been doing that day, other people, how the light hits the room I am in. So many ways. The works I made for the BEACHES exhibit were an experiment with the technique I mentioned of combining SL snapshots with digital art. I seem to get inspired by watercolors a lot. Any art by other people inspires me. World events. I find myself doing a lot of things I wanted to when I was younger, but was too busy to sit still for it, such as zines online.

M: How about the future? What do you forecast or dream for yourself in regards your artistic vision and other creative endeavours?

PIENI: My most important goal is to keep the social aspects of SL supportive and friendly. I want to be part of an accepting and open-minded art community. With friends like these, I will never run out of ideas and inspiration.

M: Pieni, thank you! We are touched by your goal of helping to create and keep the art community – and other communities – of SL warm and accepting. To us, this is also important and we appreciate your focus. We are pleased that you have shared with us through this exhibit, and we look forward with you to more creations!

This series of postings about the 12 artists exhibiting at the BEACHES Art Exhibit at Côte de la Mer Galerie & Lawn – two by two – is a joy. As we are learning more about some of those who share their work in-world, we welcome you along! The BEACHES Art Exhibit will be open through August (and through Labor Day in the US); we hope to see you. Please note: a three-hour BEACHPARTY will be held on Thursday, 31 August at Ce Soir Beach to celebrate this exhibit and the nearing close of summer. Come…and be inspired tonight!

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